Arsenal Near New Long-Term Deal for Declan Rice
The short version
- Arsenal are closing in on a five-year contract for Declan Rice worth a reported £280,000 per week
- Rice's current deal runs until 2028, with Arsenal holding a one-year extension option
- The club is also preparing renewal talks for Martin Ødegaard, Jurrien Timber and Ben White
- Rice withdrew from England's Nations League squad to manage his workload after 69 appearances last season
Arsenal are working to finalize an improved five-year contract for midfielder Declan Rice, with talks expected to speed up during the September international break.
Arsenal are advancing toward a new long-term contract for midfielder Declan Rice, according to FootballTransfers. Negotiations are expected to pick up pace during the September international break as the club looks to finalize the terms of a fresh agreement.
Rice, 27, is under contract until 2028, and Arsenal hold an option to add another year. The club would rather secure him on improved terms than rely on that clause. The proposed deal would run five years and pay him roughly £280,000 per week, a significant increase on his current salary.
The move forms part of a wider effort by Arsenal to lock down key members of Mikel Arteta's squad. TEAMtalk reported earlier this month that the club was preparing renewal talks with Rice, Martin Ødegaard and Jurrien Timber. Manager Arteta agreed his own new contract this week, shortly after Arsenal won their first Premier League title since 2004.
Rice withdrew from Thomas Tuchel's England squad for upcoming Nations League fixtures, a decision understood to be tied to workload management. He made 69 appearances for Arsenal and England last season, playing through injury and featuring throughout England's World Cup run.
Sky Sports has reported that Rice is prepared to commit his long-term future to the club, with a new deal potentially keeping him at the Emirates until at least 2031. FootballTransfers also reports Arsenal plan talks with Ben White, who has two years left on his deal but is currently out with a hamstring injury.
